Graduation Requirements Full Time

All degree candidates must have earned at least a 3.0 grade point average, completed their Action Research project and student portfolio and be approved for graduation by the Program Director. No course grade lower than a C will be accepted towards graduation in the program.

The candidate must have all course work completed and the Action Research project and student portfolio submitted by August 15 in order to be a fall graduate. The candidate must apply at least 6 months prior to his/her planned graduation date to participate in the commencement and hooding exercises according to University policy. Please
click here for the application for graduation.

Master of Education in ESL/Bilingual Education

Endorsement Component

EDU611 Technology Instruction for Teachers of Language Minority Students

EDU614 Assessment of English Language Learners (ELLS)

EDU616 Linguistic Considerations for Reading and Writing in a New Language

EDU617 Methods and Materials of Teaching English as a Second Language

Master's Component

EDU501 Introduction to Action Research

EDU520 Cognition and Learning

EDU530A Action Research IIA EDU530B Action Research IIB

EDU620 Learning Environment

EDU630 Action Research II

EDU635 Reading and Writing for Learning

EDU640 Professional Communication Techniques

Master of Education in ESL/Bilingual Education for Chinese Students

Note: Chinese students also need to complete one of the requirements below.

Illinois Certification Component

EDU222 Human Growth and Development

EDU223 Educational Psychology

EDU231E Practicum II, Teacher Aid, Elgin Area

EDU312 History/Philosophy of Education

EDU320 Language Arts Methods

EDU321 Reading Methods-Elementary

EDU322 Math Methods-Elementary

EDU323A Art Methods-Elementary

EDU323M Music Methods-Elementary

EDU323P Physical Education Methods-Elem

EDU324 Social Studies Methods

EDU327 Science Methods-Elementary

EDU331E Practicum III, Instr Asst-Elem Education

EDU411 Student Teaching

EDU421 Diagnostic Reading and Remediation

EDU491 Senior Seminar

PSY325 Exceptional Child

Required for Chinese Students

Bi-Lingual Endorsement

In addition to the above courses, complete 2 field experiences consisting of 50 hours (each) of observations in classrooms and observations in other areas in and around the school such as the cafeteria, library, computer lab, and extracurricular or informational events sponsored by the surrounding community; or 3 months of teaching experience in the Bi-Lingual classroom. Fluency in another language is required and a state language exam must be taken and passed in that language.

ESL Endorsement

In addition to the above courses, complete 2 field experiences consisting of 50 hours (each) of observations in classrooms and observations in other areas in and around the school such as the cafeteria, library, computer lab, and extracurricular or informational events sponsored by the surrounding community; or 3 months of teaching experience in the ESL classroom.

The purpose of this experience is to help future ESL/bilingual educators to succeed at the following:

Working with students from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Identifying and distinguishing components of a multicultural and multilingual educational environment.

Awareness of the curriculum and materials available for ESL/bilingual students.

Observing and acquiring methods and strategies for teaching students with linguistic needs.

Actively participating and/or assisting in the teaching of language minority students